Al Horford is rumored to sign with the Houston Rockets in free agency this NBA offseason. Keith Allison/Flickr CC

The Houston Rockets are expected to make a serious effort in landing high-caliber free agents this offseason. Although they failed to outdo their performance in the 2014-15 NBA season, the James Harden team still managed to snag a playoffs spot last year. So, the Houston Rockets remain to be a favorable destination for some free agents. Moreover, the exit of Dwight Howard from their roster gives them a massive salary cap space. Hence, Houston Rockets can present a lucrative contract to their targets.

While the Kevin Durant free agency campaign is still very much intact for many basketball teams, rumors are rife that the Houston Rockets are setting their sights on a more realistic target: Al Horford. The former Atlanta Hawks star attracted attention from both the media and NBA experts when he showed obvious potential despite going head to head against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the 2016 NBA playoffs. Given his talent and basketball IQ, it comes as no surprise that a number of NBA teams are after him in free agency.

Sports experts believe that Al Horford will best fit the Houston Rockets' type of play. With the style of James Harden and new coach Mike D'Antoni, the former Atlanta Hawks star can flourish in both ends of the court. Moreover, his energy and attack in the paint can easily complement The Beard. For their part, the Houston Rockets are in dire need of a center following the exit of big man Dwight Howard.

"The Rockets then, are going to need to go hunting in free agency or trade if they hope to snag another piece to beef up their frontcourt, and Al Horford from the Atlanta Hawks looks like a quintessential fit in Houston and under new head coach Mike D'Antoni," noted Darren Yuvan of SB Nation. He further pointed out, "Horford is a 6'10" do-it-all center who could thrive in a front line next to just about any other Rockets, and his ability to play both inside and out would make him an ideal compliment in a James Harden-led offense."

Unsurprisingly, Al Horford is on the lookout for an NBA team that can best give him a shot at a championship ring. Will a team-up with James Harden in the Houston Rockets be the answer to his dream? Can the former Atlanta Hawks star and The Beard really beat the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the Western Conference?

This remains to be seen. However, Harden has been quite open with his desire to turn things around for the Houston Rockets. Admitting the disappointment he felt over their performance last NBA season, The Beard appears to be ready to show off the reasons the Houston Rockets chose him to be the face of the franchise.

"Last year was very frustrating, as an organization, in Houston," shared Harden. He added, "So for me, I think trying to get our winning ways back. Back to the championship ways. Just being a part of that free agency process trying to get guys to Houston and trying to win that right now is something I'm trying to focus on."